The door creaked open and the pair were instantly met with several dozen stares. “Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr.Vallance and Ms.Lefaye. Care to explain the reason for your tardiness.” asked an authoritarian voice. This voice of course belonged to Nymeria Val’Anzur, the instructor for this year’s rookies as well as an extremely scary woman. The best word to describe her would be Steel, standing at a height of 6 '7 ft and boasting an extremely toned body, she was the textbook definition of a veteran adventurer.

  This point was accentuated even further with the numerous scars she had on her body, especially the scar running along her upper cheek which she earned from a fight with a {Basilisk} or so the rumor goes.

  Needless to say, the two rookies were stunned silent and were left racking their brains in an attempt to make some sort of excuse. “Well actually teach, we were just back from mmph!” Enya started but was quickly silenced by Theon putting a hand over her mouth, this was due to him knowing about her horrendous ability to lie which usually worsens situations for both of them. “We’re sorry ma’am, it won’t happen again.” Spoke Theon while doing a respectful bow.

  “See to it, that it doesn’t Mr.Vallance. Now take your seat.” Nymeria commanded. Both rookies were inwardly relieved and quickly moved to sit with their friends, Delyth and Byron. “Now that all of us are present, we can finally move on to the topic at hand. I’m sure some of you have heard the rumors regarding the Church of Durran.” Nymeria spoke aloud. Murmurs and hushed whispers ignited among the student adventurers, all of them asking one another about what it might possibly be.

  “Silence.” Nymeria calmly spoke, at her words the students instantly stilled lest they wish to earn her ire. “As I was saying, the clergy of Durran along with their Pontiff has relayed to both the guild and the academy an intriguing piece of info as well as a decree. The info being that The gods have summoned otherworlders again.” This got a reaction out of all the student’s with some being more confused than others.

  One particular boy couldn’t contain his curiosity so he shot his hand up to ask “But Miss Nymeria aren’t the gods only allowed to summon a single otherworlder every century or so?” The young man asking was Byron Herst, a {Halfling} who was a close friend of Theon as well as his team’s resident {Sporecerer}. “They are indeed Mr.Herst. Otherworlders are often seen as a precious resource because of this fact, coupled with their innate talent for inspiring change, it's no wonder every nation in this world covets them.” Nymeria responded.

  “However this makes the church’s command a rather baffling one.” at this Nymeria took a scroll that was attached to her hip and unfurled it fully, clearing her throat she began “The Church of Durran as well as all other clergy of the 36 Precepts have hereby declared that should any individual come into contact with a newly summoned otherworlder, they are to immediately terminate them.” Nymeria took a small pause before continuing. “Any individual found colluding or assisting these otherworlders in any way will be accused of treason and will be sentenced to execution.” Stated Nymeria.

  It was like the air had been sucked out of the room leaving all 10 students staring at their teacher in mute silence. Some were in shock, some were rapidly trying to process the info, and a select few were grinning from ear to ear. Theon was about to ask why exactly had this been decreed, when he was interrupted by a loud banging on the door.

  Raising an eyebrow, Nymeria responded succinctly “Enter!” “My deepest apologies for interrupting the briefing Ms. Val’Anzur but Headmaster Arwan is calling for you.” a gentlemanly voice intoned. “Tell him I’ll be right with him Geraint, Just need to finish with the students.” Nymeria responded. “Very well madam.” came the posh reply from Geraint.

  Turning back to face us, she announced “Despite the rather grim announcement, this does not change your daily schedule. You are to continue leveling up your Class and Vocation in preparation for next week’s tournament. Remember, the team who wins will get a personal commendation from Headmaster Arwan as well as a choice of one item from the academy's vault.”

  With that she exited the room, leaving the students to begin animatedly discussing what they had just heard. “Do you think Miss N was serious when she made that announcement? The churches won’t actually hurt us if we help someone, will they?” Delyth questioned timidly. “It wouldn’t be unheard of for the churches to do something like that, remember the Cleansing that happened a few years back.” Byron replied.

  Sensing that the topic was getting rather somber, Theon swiftly interjected “How about we instead discuss where we're going to train, the tournament is rapidly approaching so shouldn’t we put all our focus on that?” He asked with a steady gaze at his team. “Yeah Theon’s right, we can worry all about churches and otherworlders later.” Enya responded. “For now I want to hurry up and get some more Class Levels, my {Brawler of Embers} class has been stagnant for a while now.” She said while pumping her fists together.

  “Where should we grind this time, the Sewers?” Byron queried the others. “Nope! Anywhere but there, that place sucks ass.” Enya vehemently declined. “But mine and Theon’s skills work really well there.” Countered Byron. “Yeah, well you know what doesn’t work so great there, uh almost ALL OF MY SKILLS!” Enya yelled.

  “Alright, alright, no need to shout Ennie. What other places could we go to?” Theon asked with a gentle voice. Enya was annoyed at being called by her old nickname but simply shrugged and started waiting for suggestions. “We could level at the {Mettino Forest} like old times.” Delyth suggested. “Nah, the mobs there are too weak to gain any meaningful EXP.” Enya said.

  The group was at an impasse and spent several more minutes discussing options before Byron suddenly got an idea. “Hey, how about we go to the dungeon near the {Racun Swamps}.” “The one filled with undeads right? Hmm, yeah that could work, we do need to practice fighting swarms of enemies.” Theon agreed.

  The team talked it over for a few minutes before all agreeing. “Okay, I will notify the academy of our excursion, in the meantime you guys get your gear set up.” commanded Theon to his team. “Oh by the way what’s the dungeon called? I need to make sure I report it correctly.” Theon asked Byron. “Uhh I think it was called the {Nuvarno Crypt}.”

  Back in the crypt

  “That should be the last of them.” I said while looking around. Surrounding me were numerous corpses, all of them being {Gloom Shroomlings}. I had originally only attacked a small group of them but more just started coming out of nowhere which led me to getting rapidly swarmed and having to use hit & run tactics to pick them off. Glancing around to make sure no other shroom guys were going to attack me I was relieved there was nothing around so I could finally open up my notifications.

  {Congratulations, you have reached level 6}

  {+3 Dexterity, +3 Arcane, +2 Strength, +1 Free point}

  {Ebony Claws has risen to level 2}

  {Phantomstep has risen to level 3}

  {Soul Sense has risen to level 2}

  “Steady progress is the best progress.” I internally remarked. Opening up my status, I look at my stats to determine which one needed the free point. Seeing that my {Intelligence} had fallen behind my other magical stats, I decided to put the point there. “Now let's see what else I can find.” I once more ventured deeper into the crypt. Following several minutes of me just wandering aimlessly, I eventually come across something interesting.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  An ornate treasure chest, made of aged wood and lined with golden filigree. Getting excited at the prospects of getting epic loot, I blindly rush forward to open the chest. Mere moments before opening the chest, a stray thought enters my mind “why does this chest have an aura surrounding it?”

  *Chomp*

  {You have taken 5 physical damage}

  “AAAAHHHH!! Let go of me you shitstain.” The chest had suddenly grown jagged teeth and bit my right arm, it was now trying to quickly swallow me whole. Struggling to free my arm, I activate {Ebony Claws} and begin rapidly slashing the chest.

  {You have inflicted 6 physical & magical damage to Mimic: Lv 7}

  {You have inflicted 4 physical & magical damage to Mimic: Lv 7}

  {You have taken 3 physical damage}

  “God damn it!” The mimic tightened its jaws aiming to rip my arm off completely. Growing frustrated, I used {Ebony Claws} on my trapped arm and started randomly slicing and scratching the inside of the beast, aiming to do as much damage as possible.

  {You have inflicted 7 physical & magical damage to Mimic: Lv 7}

  {You have inflicted 9 physical & magical damage to Mimic: Lv 7}

  {You have slain Mimic: Lv 7}

  {You have gained 2 exp}

  Finally the beast stills and I slowly take my arm out to inspect. My right arm is completely busted with fractures running all along the entirety of the appendage, my fingers were even worse off with my index and thumb finger being missing entirely. “I really hope that heals otherwise I’m gonna be very fucking pissed.”

  Throwing one last death glare at the mimic’s corpse, I punch it once more for good measure before skulking off to recover. Unfortunately for me, I don’t even get the chance to mend my arm.

  A few minutes after encountering the mimic another abomination attacked me. I was currently pushing {Levitate} to its limit trying desperately to escape a level 12 {Eqonigar} that I had randomly encountered.

  “SHIT, SHit, shit, I can never catch a break can I.” I search around frantically for a way to escape but it seems my luck is running out, straight ahead of me was a dead end. My eyes fell upon the wall with despair as I desperately tried to figure out a solution. It was then that I had an idea, it was foolish and if it failed I would most likely die but I had no other options so I went with a gamble.

  I rushed over to the dead end and turned to face the {Eqonigar}. The horse monster stops for a brief moment and faces me in confusion. I gestured ‘come at me’ at the beast, idly wondering if it can even see. *HROARGH* the {Eqonigar} lets loose a horrific roar before running straight at me

  I steady my nerves and wait for the right moment. The beast was about a meter away from me when a dark gray aura started surrounding it. I wondered what it was doing before it suddenly ramped up in speed, practically gliding over to me. “Oh shit!!!” Just mere moments before it was about to chomp my head off I used {Phantomstep} to dodge right.

  The {Eqonigar} had too much momentum and had no way of stopping so it unceremoniously crashed into the wall. With the abomination dazed, I swiftly made my move. Firing several {Mana Spears} at its head with my right arm, I activate {Ebony Claws} with my left and begin scratching and gouging at its hind legs.

  {You have inflicted 6 magical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have inflicted 7 magical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have inflicted 9 magical & physical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have inflicted 5 magical & physical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have inflicted [Blight] to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  It was then that a rarely used ability of mine finally showed its worth. The {Blight} started off as a small spot in the {Eqonigar’s} wounds but it rapidly began spreading before my very eyes. The horse beast screeched in pain and was now lashing out randomly. Its movements were beginning to get sluggish and the {Blight} had overtaken its entire back half at this point.

  A few seconds later, The monster was completely weakened and collapsed in a pitiful heap. I feel guilty at this point and resolve myself to just end it. While the beast was distracted, I moved close to its head and as quick as can be, used {Ebony Claws} to behead the {Eqonigar}.

  {You have inflicted 6 magical & physical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  However it appears I underestimated its neck strength since I only managed to make it halfway before my arm got stuck in the neck of the beast. It immediately started freaking out and moving erratically in an attempt to dislodge my arm. Wanting to end it quickly, I charged up a full powered {Mana Bite} and got ready to deliver a devastating chomp.

  The {Eqonigar} roared once more and tried to rip my arm off but I moved faster than it and sank my teeth into the beast’s fleshy neck. *Pooom* An explosion rang out as a good portion of the {Eqonigar’s} neck was blown off, the monster finally collapsed with a pool of sickly green blood surrounding its corpse.

  {You have inflicted 8 magical & physical damage to Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have slain Egonigar: Lv 12}

  {You have gained 12 Exp}

  {Mana Bite has risen to level 2}

  {Ebony Claws has risen to level 3}

  {Blight Body has risen to level 2}

  “Phew, finally that guy died.” I sighed in relief. I gazed at the horse monster’s corpse and couldn’t help but shudder at the sheer speed at which the {Blight} was decomposing its body. “Holy Hell, Blight is fantastic, I gotta figure out a more reliable method for activating that.” I idly thought.

  I was about to turn around and look for another path but before I was able to. *Krrusch* The wall in front of me had spontaneously collapsed. “Hmm, the Eqonigar must have done more damage than I thought, wait what is that?!” A bright light was shining through the new opening and I felt compelled to explore.